Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-01-28
Not anything. thank you. I've sworn

All, ! see! you are a Benedict now.
Well, | won't urge you-in fact I've
about made up my mind that the treat
custom has hurried more than one man
to destruction. Suppose We join hands
in the resolve never to touch intoxicat-
ing liquor ourselves or invite any one
to do the samep"
ii am with you there, Harvey" ex-
claimed Jack. grasping the hand of his
friend and shaking it heartily. Come
up to the house some evening"" he
said. as they parted, "Bess will be very
glad to see you"
Thanks, shall certainly do so
az reUoir"
"Bcss has always been opposed to
strong drink; wonder what she would
say if she knew of my resolve" said
Jack, as he dropped two dimes and ten
pennies into the side pocket IL reck
on it will 90 hard to do this sort of
thing every day. but I have made up
my mind TO do il, and no one has ever
accused Jack Avery of Sinking.
feel sure that the result will prove
satisfactory"
The afternoon was hot and sultry and
as Jack leaned over his desk the long
columns of figures before him seemed
to laugh at his unsuccessful attempts
to balance accounts.
Get one of Burt fine cigars. You IL
feel like a new man after you've had a
good smoke" whispered the Evil
Genius
Don't do it Jack" whispered an
other voice. Zone cigar will not suf-
flee; you'll want another directly II
you break your resolution you will de-
spise yourself for being so weak"
My throat feels parched. Oh. for a
glass of Burt's cool, sparkling beer"
murmured Jack. At this moment the
door opened and a boyish voice called
out
Here's yer ice-cold lemonade, two
cents a glass"
"I'll take glass if it's the pure
stuff" said Jack.
Il warrant it, sir; mother and me-
self makes it, an | takes it round TO
the gentlemen in the Offices, said the
boy, filling glass and handing it to
Jack.
Not so bad" said the latter. as he
quafied the cooling draught. IF had
gone over to Burts, he muttered,
would not have stopped at one glass of
beer That lemonade has freshened
me up wonderfully. Eighteen cents
found their way into the side pocket.
On the way home Jack was accosted
by a bootblack.
Have shine, sir? only ten cents, ="
said the boy, persuasiyely.
"Go ahead. On second thought
guess won stop said Jack, moving
on. 1T Will take exactly ten minutes
to polish my boots after reach home
Ten cents savedn' he said with laugh.
i've saved one dollar and eighteen
cents, to-day 1t is easy enough &c
see where the money goes.
For moment Jack looked serious
then very happy expression crossed
his countenance.
II will not say a word about my
plans; dear little Bess shall not puzzle
her brain trying to save a penny here
and dollar there. The idea of saving
in the way have decided upon is a
good one"
Jack smiled complacently. for he felt
that the future had something worth
struggling for.
Dear jack murmered Mrs. Avery
after her husband had closed the door
behind him. "how vcxed he felt at my
suggestion. | am quite sure that what
/ have said to him will not go in one
ear and out the other, | have been
married long enough TO know that it is
absurd for woman to dictate unless
she can impress her husband with the
idea that he is the originator of all
plans for their mutual benefit feel
satisfied that Jack will begin to econo-
mize, but the dear fellow must feel that
no one is compelling him to do it.
A low musical laugh fell from Mrs.
Avery rosy lpis; the next moment
she looked very serious,
IL do wish we had coy home OF
our own; these apartments are nice and
| comfortable. but not at all homelik e